50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Selected good mix of camps for first safari
On the whole communications were good, itinerary worked as specified. We were met by representatives at each stage and camps managed the internal flights with Mac Air. Recommended camps gave us a good range of animals and we saw everything we wanted to at close quarters. Bird life was exceptional. Khwai Bush camp and Pelo were outstanding, Chobe Elephant camp being larger was a bit impersonal, accommodation more basic although the guides were very good.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible 11 day tour of Northern Ethiopia (group of 4 friends)
I joined a private 11 day tour of northern Ethiopia for a group of 4 people organised by a friend (2 from UK and 2 from HK). Our tour included a 9 day drive in a clean and comfortable landcruiser from Bahir Dar to Gondar to Simien Mountains to Axum to Gheralta Mountains and to Lalibela.
I appreciated the incredible personal and professional service from Taddese Atlaw (managing director) before and during the tour. Taddese responded promptly, courteously and patiently to numerous questions via email about domestic flights, payment terms, accommodation facilities, and possible tour extensions. He also kept in touch a couple of times to check if the tour was going well and was flexible to accommodate additional requests during the tour. It was nice to meet Taddese face to face on the last day at the traditional dinner and dance show before we departed Ethiopia.
Our driver (Yacob) and local guides at various destinations were friendly, experienced, helpful and were happy to share their culture, history, religion and knowledge with us including translating my Q&As with the priests and monks :)
My highlights of the tour were trekking to see Gelada monkeys at Simien mountains, trekking upwards to rock hewn churches of Abuna Yemata, Maryam and Daniel Korkor in the Tigray region, visiting Lalibela churches and my conversations with the priests and monks about their faith and experiences. The Ethiopian Orthodox church - their history, practices and rock hewn buildings were fascinating.
Suggestions for consideration: (1) Porter fees to assist in treks in Tigray region could be included in the tour package or negotiated upfront on behalf of clients. (2) Rooms without air-conditioning could have a fan for circulation and to blow mosquitoes away (if any).
Overall, I would highly recommend SET to organise your Ethiopian adventure. Their tour package was competitively priced with exceptional service.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect organisation, excellent lodges and a great driver and guide.
We booked a 7-days trip through the national parks in the southern part of Uganda including Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking. The program of the trip was designed by Gorilla Walking Safaris based on our wishes what we wanted to see. It met our expectations to 100 percent.
The car was comfortable and reliable, the recommended lodges where all comfortable with cozy rooms, friendly personell and excellent meals.
Our driver Alex showed us a lot of interesting places - some of them outside of the normal tourist paths. Beside of this, travelling with him was a lot of fun.
The price for the service was very fair!
All in all it was an awesome experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awsome trip to the Mara
My parents booked a trip to the Mara Triangle inversé Match 2019. The package offered by Sana safaris was very attractive including flights. 50% percent deposit is necessary to secure the Booking.
The stay itself in the Mara was fantastic. They stayed at Sanctuary Olenana lodge. The hotel lays outside the conservancy, modern and typical South African designed bush camp. The room was spacious and well decorated. The food was delicious! They were looked after very well!
The sightings during the game drive were fantastic and they felt very lucky with many highlight including rhino! The guide was ethical, knowledgeable, professionnal with excellent hosting skills!
Before leaving to Mara my parents were quite worried because Sana Safaris relocated its office on Sarit Centre only accepting payment with cash and no vourcher was given. But everything was perfeclty in order for thier departure to the Mara.
I want to reassure to everybody that Sana Safaris is a very reliable company since I have delt with them myself on my parents behalf, very professionnel and the new offices are located in a better strategic area business wise. My parents recommand to travel with Sana Safaris.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic safari with gorilla tracking, lions, elephants, and more!
My husband and I had a wonderful safari with our excellent guide Tom! We spent 4 days exploring, including gorilla tracking, game drives with elephants, lion, and hyena among many other animals, and a gorgeous boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. We chose the budget accommodations and actually found the accommodations to be quite beautiful and luxurious! The food and lodges were lovely. We had a fantastic time and recommend both Simba and Tom to anyone looking for a safe and well organized safari adventure!
GH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kruger National Park by Greg McTaggart
it is so expansive you have the park basically to yourself
GH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience for young and old.
6 of us from 67 to 8 traveled to Kruger NP and has a most wonderful experience. It was easy to organise the trip in the first place, everything fell into place, logistically and we managed to see the big 5 all in one day along with numerous others as well. We had tented accommodation which is what you really want. The guides etc were all extremely knowledgeable and meals etc were special
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lemurs are endemic to this island, the 4th largest in the world.
Fort Dauphin, Madagascar
A beautiful, sunny day greeted us on Monday, day 95, when we arrived on Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. In 1643, Fort Dauphin was the first European settlement in Madagascar. The settlement, named in honor of the Dauphin, the Crown Prince of France and future King Louis XIV, is known by locals as Tolanaro. Madagascar gained its independence in 1960.Our Fort Dauphin Highlights tour drove through the city’s bustling market. We stopped at the square near City Hall where we admired the view of the bay and harbor situated below Saint-Louis Peak. Hawkers selling carved wooden items, necklaces, and shells were active. We observed the entrance to Fort Flacourt from a respectable distance. Another stop allowed us to see the rugged coast and pleasant beaches. We passed a mining company complex of homes. The company with partial government ownership is extracting ilmenite and zircon from heavy mineral sands. This is the only local industry. Tourism is also helpful, but only eight cruise ships visited this port in the past year.
In afternoon we visited the Nahampoana Reserve, located only about 4.5 miles from town, but with only half of the road paved. Once our school bus was on the bumpy, dirt road, we encountered the small, mainly thatch roofed houses these bush people live in. Extreme poverty. The Reserve itself is about 125 acres originally a botanical garden known as the Garden of Acclimatisation. We were successful in seeing three varieties of Madagascar’s endemic lemurs: sifaka, ring-tailed, and brown. It was fun watching their leaping antics. Their large eyes are captivating. In a fenced area, we saw the head of a crocodile protruding out of a pond. A guide moved a radial turtle so some guests could more easily see it. When the turtle set back on the ground, it scrambled back to familiar territory. One young man (seeking payment) hoisted his baby hedgehog for photos. Others offered chameleons for pictures. Later, two different costumed dance groups performed for us. We learned that locals buy a cow instead of saving money in a bank. Also, it is customary for a young man to offer a cow when requesting the hand of a potential bride. If a young person becomes a herder, his pay might be one cow for a year’s work. It was sad to be shadowed by children begging.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Back to Africa - Land and People I Love!
We have traveled many times to Tanzania and used Kashi Safaris for our transportaion around the country. They are very courteous, helpful and caring. Mr. Kimaro, the owner, has highly trained and efficient tour operators driving their vehicles. We have taken many mission teams to Kilanya, Moshi, Karatu and Ngorongoron Crater and have found Kashi Safaris to be the best in getting around the cities and the outback. Mr. Kimaro can also recommend a wonderful place to stay to have the GREAT Africa Experience - Havennature Safari Camp in Karatu on the way to the Crater. WE very highly recommend Havennature for it's settings, service, care and it's sustainable purpose. Kashi Safaris will take care of all your safari needs and do it safely and courteously.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and Wonderful!!
Everything was wonderful and very exciting. Details went as planned and the Safari was wonderful